Holiday Happenings

New Year’s Eve Countdown Tue., Dec. 31, 10am. Appetizers, sparkling grape juice, word games and easylistening music. 11:59 a.m. countdown.

12 p.m. pledge and special prayer. Senior Services of Central Illinois, 701 W. Mason St., 217-528-4035.

Theater & Comedy

Clay Foley Tue., Dec. 31, 8-9:30pm. $12.50. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, Mason City, 114 E. Chestnut St., 217-482-5233.

Dobie Maxwell Fri-Sat., Dec. 27-28, 7:30 and 9:30pm. $15 general and $17 VIP. Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 3455 Freedom Dr., 217- 391-JOKE. Dr. Gonzo Fri., Dec. 27, 8-9:30pm and Sat., Dec. 28, 7-8:30pm. No coupons or passes accepted for this show.. $15 general; $17.50 VIP. Mason City Limits Comedy Club, Mason City, 114 E. Chestnut St., 217-482-5233.

Special Music Events

Elvis Top 40 Part 2 1961-1967 Sat., Jan. 4, 3pm. Backed by dancers and vocalists, Elvis Himselvis will have you reminiscing about the king himself. $16-$18. Hoogland Center for the Arts LRS Theatre 1, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523- 2787.

Dance

Dance for Hope Fridays. $8 per person. Normandy Hill Plaza, 3111 Normandy Road, Suite 104, 217-522-9106.

Art & Architecture

Facing Homelessness Opening Reception Fri., Jan. 3, 5:30-7:30pm. In cooperation with Helping Hands Shelter. This portrait exhibition documents the stories of homeless men of Springfield. Artists who created some of the portraits will discuss their experiences of working with the shelter’s clients. Free. M.G. Nelson Family Gallery, 700 N. Fourth Street, 217-523- 2631. Holiday Art Show Thursdays-Saturdays, 12-6pm. Art inspired by and celebrating the winter holiday season. This exhibition runs through December 31. Refreshments. Free. The Pharmacy Gallery and Art Space, 623 E. Adams St., 801-810-9278.

Film & Television

Molly Schlich Film Series Launch Party

Wed., Jan. 8, 7pm. See trailers of the series’ upcoming films. Popcorn and beverages served. Free. Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631.

Mystery Movie Monday Mon., Jan. 6, 7pm. The first Monday of every month. You won’t know the title of the film is until the red velvet curtain opens on the grand screen. Films will span from the early days of the 20th century to contemporary titles. $40 for the series or $10 each. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 800- 838-3006.

Children’s Corner

American Girl Tea Party Thu., Jan. 2, 1-2:30pm. Games, crafts and a tea party in honor of American Girl Samantha Parkington. Ages 5+. Registration required. Chatham Area Public Library, Chatham, 600 E. Spruce, 217-483-2713.

Illinois Beach Party Super Saturday Sat., Jan. 4, 11am-3pm. Learn about Illinois’ prehistoric and modern beaches and about beach ecosystems. Create a fun pair of sunglasses and build a sandcastle. Ages 5+. Free with museum admission. 217-782-6044.

Nick Jr. Live! Move to the Music Jan. 7-8, 6-8pm. Follow Dora the Explorer and her PAW co-hosts, Marshall and Rubble, as they team up with their Nick Jr. friends, live on stage. $21.50+. uispac.com. UIS Performing Arts Center, One University Plaza, 217-206-6160.

Story Time Thu., Dec. 26, 11am. Listen to a story and learn about the world around us. Free with museum admission. Kidzeum of Health and Science Children’s Museum, 412 E. Adams St., 217-971-4435.

Nature, Science & Environment

Stone Soup Hike Wed., Jan. 1, 10am-noon. Bring an ingredient for the vegetable or meat and vegetable soups and your own utensils and bowl. Precook any items that need long cooking times. Soup cooks while you hike. Enjoy it on your return. Free. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 217-529-1111.

Bulletin Board

APL Pet Adoptions Saturdays, 11am-4pm and Sundays, 12-3pm. All animals will be spayed or neutered, microchipped and will have received all age-appropriate vaccinations by the time of their adoption. PetSmart, 3183 S. Veterans Pkwy, 217-544-7387. Compassion and Choices Wed., Jan. 8, 7pm. Meets monthly to support legislation that would offer compassionate choices for terminally ill individuals. Free. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 217-585-9550.

Springfield’s Original Bridal Show Sun., Jan. 5, 11am-3pm. Sponsored by Capitol Radio Group. Crowne Plaza Springfield, 3000 S. Dirksen Pkwy., 217-529-7777.

History

Sneak Peek: Fashioning Illinois, 1820-1900 Thu., Jan. 2, 12-1pm. Join Erika Holst as she explores the way women made, maintained and wore clothing in nineteenth century Illinois.. Free, donations accepted. Illinois State Museum Research and Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash St., 217-785-0037.

Faith & Philosophy

A Course in Miracles Tuesdays, 6-7:30pm. Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 745 Woodside Road, 217-585-9550.

Finding the Pathway to Unity Fri., Dec. 27, 6:30-8pm. Presentation and discussion. Light refreshments and fellowship follow. free. Springfield Baha’i Center, 1131 S. Eighth St., 217-546-9171.

New Year’s Crystal Bowl Meditation Wed., Jan. 1, 6-7pm. Soothing vibrations of the frequencies of seven crystal singing bowls. Send healing prayers/intentions to ourselves, our community and our world. Bring a mat to lay on the floor, if you choose. Love offering. Unity of Springfield, 417 Cordelia, 523-5897.

Public Hanukkah Menorah Lighting Thu., Dec. 26, 5:30-7pm. Join us for a Chanukah celebration including fresh jelly doughnuts, hot laktes, the lighting of a giant menorah and other festivities. Free. White Oaks Mall, 2501 Wabash Ave., 773-870-7770.

Health

Community Yoga Mondays, 5:15-6:30pm. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a mat. A few mats are available to borrow. Open to any adult and all skill levels, but the class is geared toward beginners. Free, but donations to the instructor are welcome. Family Service Center, 710 E. Vine St., 217-528-8406.

Winter Safety Fri., Jan. 3, 12:15pm. Frostbite and hypothermia prevention presented by Barb Hipsher. Senior Services of Central Illinois, 701 W. Mason St., 217-528- 4035.

Sports & Fitness

Ice Jamz Fri., Dec. 27, 7pm. Light show, music, games and more. All ages are welcome. Ages 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. $11 with skate rental and $9 without. springfieldparksfun.org. Nelson Center, 1601 N. Fifth St., 217-525-2589.

Springfield Jr. Blues Fri., Jan. 3, 7pm and Sat., Jan. 4, 6pm. The Blues take on the Topeka Pilots. Adults $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Ages 12 and under $5. jrblues.com. Nelson Center, 1601 N. Fifth St., 217-525-2589.